Posted on NASA Spaceflight, James Webb Space Telescope one step closer to launch.
The joint NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has passed its critical final mission analysis review — clearing the way for a late 2021 launch from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana on an Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket.
With this review completed, Arianespace and JWST teams can now begin final launch preparations. With a launch readiness date of October 31, 2021, Webb will soon be transported to French Guiana where it will be mated with its designated Ariane 5 rocket.
The mission analysis review, carried out by Arianespace and ESA, confirms that all launch systems — such as the telescope, rocket, ground systems, and launch teams — are set for launch. The review also confirms that Webb itself and its flight plan are ready for the mission to begin.
“We are thrilled to have passed this important step towards the launch of Webb and to have received the green light from Arianespace and NASA,” says Peter Rumler. Rumler is the project manager for the JWST at ESA.
When the telescope launches, it will experience a wide range of forces, such as vibrations and temperature changes and radiation. Therefore, Arianespace performed technical evaluations on important milestones of the mission’s ascent for the review, such as the launch trajectory and separation of the telescope from the rocket’s upper stage.
About time, since Hubble may be dead.
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James Webb Space Telescope reaches launch pad for Christmas liftoff
The James Webb Space Telescope is due to launch on Saturday (Dec. 25) during a 32-minute window that opens at 7:20 a.m. EST (1220 GMT). The massive observatory will blast off from Kourou, French Guiana, atop an Ariane 5 rocket operated by European launch provider Arianespace. You can watch launch coverage live at Space.com beginning at 6 a.m. EST (1100 GMT) courtesy of NASA or you can watch directly at the agency's website.
ESA launch kit (PDF).
Previously:
Space science: The telescope that ate astronomy
JWST Primary Mirror Starting To Come Together
New Space Telescope's Giant Gold Mirror Unveiled (April 29th)
Telescope That 'Ate Astronomy' Is on Track to Surpass Hubble
James Webb Space Telescope Vibration Testing Completed
Launch of James Webb Space Telescope Delayed to Spring 2019
Launch of James Webb Space Telescope Could be Further Delayed
JWST: Too Big to Fail?
GAO: James Webb Space Telescope Launch Date Likely Will be Delayed (Again)
Launch of James Webb Space Telescope Delayed to May 2020, Could Exceed Budget Cap
NASA Announces JWST Independent Review Board Members
Screws and Washers Have Fallen Off JWST Amid Testing and Independent Review
Launch of James Webb Space Telescope Delayed Again, This Time to March 2021, Cost at $9.66 Billion
NASA Administrator at House Hearing: WFIRST Could be Delayed to Help Pay for JWST
James Webb Passes Critical Mission Review for 2021 Launch, Final Testing Nearing Completion
NASA Ominously Chooses Halloween 2021 to Launch Long-Delayed Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope, NASA's Next Great Observatory, Passes Final Ground Tests
The James Webb Telescope has a Launch Date
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Passes Crucial Launch-Simulation Tests
James Webb Telescope: Preparations Resume for December 22 Launch
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Fully Fueled for Launch
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 08 2021, @07:42AM
The launch is expected in November/December now.
(Score: 1, Offtopic) by Frosty Piss on Thursday July 08 2021, @08:36AM (4 children)
This is all nice and good, but what people really want to know is if Bezos and his “bruhs” or that crazy Brit will make it into low Earth orbit to drink champagne and get blow jobs. We must really consider the important things. The much hated Elon Musk doesn’t care because he continues to launch and recover actual real rockets almost daily as he huffs on top grade herb in his self-driving Tesla supported with silly carbon credits, while tracking his roadster into the heavens.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 08 2021, @09:01AM (1 child)
To be fair, the interest is mostly from Twitter tankies who want to watch Bezos and the other guy literally die in a fire.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Thursday July 08 2021, @04:29PM
I have had to wonder. Might Bezos have been forced to quit Amazon over company life insurance / business insurance issues?
Maybe nobody wanted to underwrite the risk of Bezos' sub orbital fright and the effect a potential loss might have on Amazon? By severing ties, Amazon can not claim any damage if Bezos does not survive. Insurance underwriter happy.
An area of major public concern would be that if things do not go well, Blue Origin might delay uploading the YouTube video.
If a lazy person with no education can cross the border and take your job, we need to upgrade your job skills.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by PiMuNu on Thursday July 08 2021, @10:13AM (1 child)
When the roadster hits jupiter it will start a chain reaction that ignites fusion in the core?
Presumably he has an infographic projected onto the wall of his Evil HQ with a nice display of the roadster and a little countdown timer on it (and a self-destruct button for the hero to press just in time)?
(Score: 3, Insightful) by DannyB on Thursday July 08 2021, @04:24PM
The James Webb Telescope will be able to show us clear images of the roadster cloning itself into millions of copies prior to when Jupiter goes fusion and becomes a new small sun.
If a lazy person with no education can cross the border and take your job, we need to upgrade your job skills.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 08 2021, @10:16AM
All good things must come to an end.
(Score: 3, Touché) by DannyB on Thursday July 08 2021, @04:21PM
Wikipedia: James Webb Space Telescope - History [wikipedia.org]
Will it still work by the time it is launched? How old will it be? Will it be needing service soon?
Presumably everything is carefully reviewed before it is launched and they are considering the age of the flight article.
If a lazy person with no education can cross the border and take your job, we need to upgrade your job skills.